PM Modi Attacks Congress, With Manmohan Singh Present In Audience

New Delhi: In order to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a commemorative coin. The event which took place at PM Modi's residence, was attended by former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and other Sikh dignitaries.

With the presence of former Prime Minister in the audience, PM Modi targeted the Congress on multiple fronts, saying the Sikh gurus "taught us to be on the side of justice". PM Modi said that the central government is "trying to get justice for the people who suffered during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots".

The conviction of former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots was referred to as a case of delayed justice by the Sikh. The riots that took place after the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi claimed the life of around 3,000 Sikhs in Delhi.

The Prime Minister also flagged off the Kartarpur Corridor as an achievement of his government, saying the followers of Guru Nanak ji now won't have to look through a telescope for darshan (view) of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, one of the holiest Sikh shrines, where Guru Nanak Dev spent 18 years of his life.

PM Modi claimed that the "mistake" of 1947 has been rectified and said that the "most significant Sikh shrine" was "just a few kilometres away but even then it was ignored," and as an act of "atonement", the government is helping build the road link to Kartarpur.

The neighbour, Pakistan has expressed hopes that the Kartarpur corridor will lead to bilateral talks, but India has been firm. External affair minister, Sushma Swaraj said a dialogue between the two nations "is not connected with only the Kartarpur corridor... The moment Pakistan stops terrorist activities in India, the dialogue can start".

PM Modi, while campaigning for the assembly elections in Rajasthan, had said "correcting the Congress' mistakes was my destiny." The Prime Minister alleged that Congress leaders at the time had "no idea about the importance of Guru Nanak Dev" and no respect for Sikh sentiment.

Guru Gobind Singh was described as a warrior and a poet by the Prime Minister, who said that his government now plans to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak across the country. Not only events will be held in the states, Indian embassies abroad will also organise programmes as part of the celebrations.